Premolded tire sidewall appliques and process for applying same

Abstract

 A product and process for imparting dec­orative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. Rubber-based appliques are precured and maintained upon a sub­strate for application to the sidewall of the tire during the curing operation for the tire. The pre­cure provides integrity and definition to the ap­plique while the curing operation allows for com­plete and total bonding of the applique to the tire. Further, the applique is of such nature that it maintains its identity without deformation dur­ing the elevated temperatures and pressures inci­dent to the curing operation. After cure, the sub­strate is stripped from the tire and applique, the result being a cured tire with a decorative side­wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention herein resides in the art of vehicle tires and, more particularly, such tires having decorative sidewalls. Specifically, the invention relates to a decorative sidewall in the form of a premolded structure which is adapted to be applied and bonded to the sidewall of a tire during tire cure.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The manufacture of tires is signficantly complicated by the imparting of decorations onto one of the tire's sidewalls. Such decorations may take the form of strips, either singular or plural, logos, lettering, and the like. Presently, this is accomplished by fabrications using the extrusion and calendaring of a number of black and white com­ponents which are subsequently combined into a dec­orative sidewall preassembly. All the tire compo­nents, along with the tire sidewall preassembly are then applied in sequence to the tire building drum to form the green or uncured tire. Following the tire curing operation, the decorative sidewall side of the tire is carefully ground and buffed to ex­pose the decorative sidewall area which was previ­ously protected by a cover strip. These complex steps detrimentally affect the efficiency of the tire manufacturing process. Further, many inter­faces produced in construction of the decorative sidewall tire affect the structural integrity of the tire and its durability and performance on the road.

[0003] It is known in the tire industry that dif­ferent tire carcasses must be formed for blackwall tires than those having decorative features on the sidewalls thereof. Heretofore, each has been con­structed differently. Modern tires are designed with increasingly thinner sidewalls, such that the decorative portion of the sidewall is becoming an increasingly significant part of the tire sidewall structure itself. Since the decorative portion is typically not a good structural element, it is be­coming increasingly difficult to manufacture modern tires having sidewalls with decorative features thereon. Previously known tires with decorative sidewalls have been characterized by a plurality of boundaries defining the different layers of the decorative structure, each boundary presenting an area for the development of a potential defect.

[0004] To obviate the shortcomings of the prior art, it has been proposed to replace the previously known sidewall decorative features with appliques of polymeric paint which are applied to stock blackwall tires prior to the curing operation on the tire. Such structures and techniques are taught in co-pending patent applications serial numbers 766,227, 766,228, 766,385, and 766,388, all filed on August l6, l985 and assigned to The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, the assignee of the instant application. The appliques of the co­pending patent applications are quite thin, on the order of 0.003 inch and, accordingly, susceptible to damage by scraping, scuffing, and the like. While the appliques are designed to be scuff re­sistant, and the tire receiving such appliques are configured to protect the same from scuffing, the inherent thin nature of the appliques gives rise to concern over damage resulting from use.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In light of the foregoing, it is the first aspect of the invention to provide a tire having a decorative applique and a process for making the same in which a blackwall tire may be selectively employed.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative applique and the process for making the same in which such process is a simple one, eliminating the steps and material previously used for co-extruding and as­sembling a sidewall band or decorative material.

[0007] Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same in which little or no waste is experienced in the manufac­turing process.

[0008] An additional aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same which is given to numerous and varying designs, colors, con­figurations, and the like.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative applique and the process for making the same in which tire integrity is enhanced by reduction of the number of components comprising the decorative portion.

[0010] Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same in which the sidewall construction is uniform, with no in­terruptions or changes of materials or modulus therein.

[0011] Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a tire having a decorative appli­que and the process for making the same in which the applique is actually cured or vulcanized to the tire.

[0012] The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are achieved by an assembly for applying decorative pieces to the sidewall of a tire during a molding and curing operation, comprising: a sub­strate; and an applique removably received upon said substrate, said applique being adapted for bonding to the sidewall of the tire by concurrent curing of the tire and applique.

[0013] Still further aspects of the invention are obtained by a process for applying decorative piec­es to a sidewall of a tire, comprising the steps of: forming an applique upon a substrate; posi­tioning said applique and substrate upon a sidewall of a tire with said applique in contact with said sidewall of said tire; curing said tire and appli­que with a tire press and thereby bonding said ap­plique to said tire sidewall; and removing said substrate from said applique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a complete understanding of the ob­jects, techniques and structure of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a sidewall applique and carrier ring according to the inven­tion;

Fig. 2, comprising Figs. 2a-2l present cross-sectional views of various embodiments of the invention as taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side-sectional view of the applique of the invention in application to the sidewall of a tire during cure; and

Fig. 4 is an illustrative view of the ap­paratus for carrying out the process of the inven­tion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly Fig. l, it can be seen that an appli­que-bearing substrate assembly according to the invention is designated generally by the numeral l0. The substrate l2 preferably consists of an annular ring constructed of metal such as aluminum or steel having good heat conductive characteris­tics. It has also been found that certain plastics or polymeric materials such as fiber reinforced plastics are suitable for the substrate construc­tion. It is desired that the substrate l2 be of sufficient thickness to provide a degree of rigidi­ty to the annular ring to facilitate handling of the same.

[0016] The applique l4 is maintained upon the substrate l2 in the configuration desired for app­lication to the sidewall of a tire. As shown in Fig. l, the applique is simply a sidewall band, but it should be understood that the applique could take any of numerous configurations. In the pre­ferred embodiment of the invention, the applique is of a rubber composition, typically of the same ma­terial as standardly used in tire construction for development of a "white sidewall." Accordingly, it is flexible, weather stable, and wear resistant. It should also be appreciated that, for increased abrasion resistance or ease of processing, other materials such as zinc methacrylate-based compounds or other new materials including thermoplastic elastomers could be used.

[0017] The process for depositing the applique l4 upon the substrate l2 and for subsequently achiev­ing the transfer of the applique from the substrate to the tire sidewall will be presented hereinafter. Suffice it to say at this time that the substrate l2 is a carrier for the applique l4, that the app­lique l4 is registered with the sidewall of the tire in the tire press, that the applique bonds or fuses without distortion of the applique to the green tire by cure or vulcanization within the tire press, and that the substrate l2 may be readily stripped from the applique l4 following cure.

[0018] Various embodiments of the assembly l0 are shown in cross section in Fig. 2. While the sub­strate l2 is shown as being a flat annular disk, it will be understood that it can take the form of a truncated cone to conform to the exterior sidewall configuration of the tire. As shown in Fig. 2a, the most rudimentary system employs a flat planar substrate l2 which receives thereon the applique l4. In this embodiment, the applique l4 simply lays upon the flat surface of the substrate l2. Since it is the surface of the applique l4 mating with the substrate l2 which will ultimately be ex­posed, it is most desirable that the substrate l2 have a finely finished surface such that the expos­ed surface of the applique will be similarly finely finished. Of course, the substrate l2 may be pro­vided with a surface design which will be imparted to the applique l4.

[0019] Fig. 2b shows a system in which the sub­strate l2 is provided with a recess l6, rectangular in cross section, for receiving and defining the edges of the applique l4. The recess l6 allows for ease of deposit and registration of the applique l4 to the substrate l2 to maintain concentricity be­tween the two. Modifications of the recess within the substrate are shown in Figs. 2c and 2d, both providing recesses which are trapazoidal in cross section, the recess l8 of Fig. 2c having its major base defined by the outer surface of the substrate l2, while the recess 20 of Fig. 2d has its major base internal to the substrate l2 and at the bottom of the recess.

[0020] Fig. 2e shows an assembly wherein the re­cess 22 is configured for unique design features such as lettering, logos, and the like. It is to be understood that the concept of the invention is not limited to the provision of a sidewall band, but that any of numerous design features may be imparted to the tire. In like manner, Fig. 2f shows a substrate l2 having the recess 22 therein and wherein two layers of rubber, possibly of dif­ferent colors, may be provided in the recess. In Fig. 2f, the line of demarcation between the two colors is designated by the numeral 24, such that the resultant decorative applique would include protrusions of one color and recesses of another.

[0021] It is an important feature of the instant invention that the applique l4 may be partially precured prior to application to the green tire. This concept of the invention is shown illustrat­ively in Figs. 2g-2i. In Fig. 2g, the entire app­lique l4 is partially precured in standard process by suitable application of heat or increase in tem­perature over a course of time to the applique l4. This partial precure gives structural integrity and definition to the applique l4, significantly reduc­ing the propensity to deform when brought into en­gagement with the tire, under conditions of elevat­ed temperature and pressure, during the molding and curing operation. It also provides such integrity for ease of handling. Of course, the applique l4 is not totally cured since the bonding of the app­lique l4 to the tire sidewall is achieved during the curing of the green tire itself, at which time the final cure of the applique is achieved. It is contemplated that the applique may be substantially totally cured prior to the molding and curing oper­ation. If circumstances are such, an adhesive may be applied to the applique to achieve the requisite bonding. However, it has been found that bonding by cure may be achieved without the addition of an adhesive where the applique is substantially pre­cured prior to the tire molding operation.

[0022] Where the applique l4 is uncured, it has been found that the applique must be very thin to prevent deformation and/or distortion in the tire mold. Where the applique l4 is partially precured, form stability is such to accomodate the use of appliques 0.020-0.060 inch thick without percept­ible distortion and without compromising adhesion to the tire. Where, fully cured, the applique is preferrably adhered to the tire by an appropriate adhesive.

[0023] Fig. 2h demonstrates yet a different type of precure which may be imparted to the applique l4. As shown in this embodiment, a central portion 24 of the applique l4 is precured while the extern­al skin portion is either not precured or is pre­cured to a lesser degree. Accordingly, the extern­al surfaces remain tacky and achieve more efficient bonding with the tire sidewall during the curing operation. In Fig. 2i, the portion 26 of the app­lique l4 is precured, this being the portion re­ceived within the recess l6 of the substrate l2. The remaining portion 28 of the applique l4 is ei­ther uncured or precured to a lesser degree, there­fore remaining tacky for efficient bonding to the tire. By precuring the portion 26, structural in­tegrity and definition are given to the applique l4 particularly to that portion of the applique which is exposed to sight when maintained upon the tire.

[0024] The precure characteristics described above serve to prevent deformation of the applique during the tire mold and cure operation in which the tire and applique are subjected to significant temperatures and pressures. Deformation of the applique must be avoided to obtain an asthetically pleasing product. The requirement for precure in­creases with increasing thickness of the applique beyond the recess l6.

[0025] The precuring or partial curing as depict­ed in Figs. 2g-2i may be achieved in various man­ners as would be readily perceived by one skilled in the art. As will be discussed hereinafter, the applique may be formed by an injection molding pro­cess. The precuring is achieved during this opera­tion. Suffice it to say at this time that the pre­cure of Fig. 2g can be achieved by uniformly heat­ing the applique l4 as by heating the injection mold which encloses the applique l4. The precure of Fig. 2h can be achieved by injecting the hot rubber material to form the applique l4 into a mold maintained at a temperature below that of the ma­terial to obtain the desired cure gradient. The interior of the applique would thus retain the heat longer and cure while the external surfaces would dissipate the heat to the mold acting as a heat sink. Finally, the precure of Fig. 2i could be achieved by injecting the rubber based material of the applique into a mold having a first portion of the cavity heated as by a platen, with an opposite portion serving as a heat sink, the mold again achieving the selective curing technique.

[0026] Figs. 2j and 2k present specifically de­fined substrates l2 which are adapted to impart ribs into the tire carcass adjacent the applique. In Fig. 2j, two ring-like indentations 30 are con­centrically maintained about the applique l4 and on each side thereof. In Fig. 2k a single ring-like indentation 32 is provided concentrically about the applique l4 to impart a protective rib to the green tire during molding. In this case, the rib would be concentric to the sidewall applique about the exterior edge thereof. As disclosed in the afore­mentioned co-pending patent application serial num­ber 766,385, such protective ribs and tire defini­tions allow the sidewall of the tire to deflect inwardly and protect the sidewall applique upon curbing. It will be understood that the mold por­tion for defining the ribs may be within the tire mold itself, and not as a part of the ring l2.

[0027] With attention now to Fig. 2l, it can be seen that a rubber barrier or strip 34 may be pro­vided adjacent the surface of the applique l4 which is to be secured to the sidewall of the tire. The barrier of strip 34 acts as a buffer between the applique and the tire sidewall to prevent bleed­through or discoloration of the applique l4 from the tire material such as by antioxidants, oils, and the like. Preferably, the material 34 is of sufficiently high quality to achieve good bonding with the tire sidewall during cure. The barrier 34 may itself be multilayered and of various materials to achieve the desired function. Of course, the barrier 34 may be first applied to either the tire or the applique.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the applique l4, car­ried upon the substrate l2, is imparted to the sidewall of the tire 36 in a curing mold or tire press. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a green tire is placed into the tire mold or press and cured therein as a function of time, tem­perature, and pressure. It is this same curing operation which achieves the bonding and vulcaniza­tion between the precured applique l4 and the tire sidewall 36, making the two substantially insepar­able. At the end of the curing cycle, the tire is removed from the mold and the substrate l2 is easi­ly stripped from the sidewall 36 and applique l4. As is well know in the art, the stripping can be facilitated by the addition of a release agent or the like to the substrate l2 prior to depositing the applique l4 thereon.

[0029] A schematic illustration of the process of the invention is set forth in Fig. 4. As shown, a carousel or rotary plate 38 is maintained upon and rotated about a spindle. Maintained upon the car­ousel 38 are a plurality of injection molds 40, in this case six. An injection unit 42 is maintained adjacent the carousel 38 for injecting the rubber based material of the applique l4 into the mold cavities 40. Of course, the injected material is viscous at the time, by virtue of elevated tempera­ture. As discussed above, this temperature aids in the precure process, as does the selective preheat­ ing of portions of the molds 40. Also maintained adjacent the carousel 38 is an automatic insert loading device 44 which places substrates l2 into the injection molds 40 as they pass thereby. Ac­cordingly, the injected material is deposited upon an associated substrate l2 and precured thereon as discussed above. A substrate retrieval and mold cleaning device 46 is also positioned adjacent the carousel 38 for removing the precured assemblies l0 from the molds 40 and thereafter cleaning the molds for receipt of another substrate l2 as by the de­vice 44.

[0030] In operation, the carousel 38 rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawing. At the position of the device 46, the adjacent mold 40 is opened, the applique and substrate assembly l0 is removed, and the mold is cleaned. The assem­bly l0 is then transferred to and stored in a car­tridge from which it may be retrieved for placement in a tire curing mold or press for vulcanization to a green tire. It is contemplated that such a car­tridge would receive and store a plurality of as­semblies l0. The mold 40 then rotates with the car­ousel 38 to a point opposite the device 44 where a clean substrate l2 is deposited into the mold. Upon reaching a point opposite the injection unit 42, the mold is held closed by a high pressure force while the rubber based applique material is injected. Subsequently, the mold is locked in its closed position and remains locked as it continues its travel about the carousel 38. The molds my be selectively heated as discussed above to attain the desired precure conditions. By rotating the car­ousel 38 at the rate of one revolution per minute, approximately 40 seconds elapses from the time of injection of the applique material into the mold until the composite assembly is removed from the carousel 38 by the device 46 and placed into a car­tridge for retrieval at a tire mold press. It has been found that such is a sufficient period of time to achieve the desired precure as discussed above. The rate of productivity coupled with the requisite time for achieving the desired precure of the applique dictates the rotational velocity of the carousel 38 and the number of mold cavities 40 employed thereon.

[0031] In one example of operating the concept of the invention, the tire mold cavity, in conjunction with the recess l6 of the substrate l2, defined an applique having a thickness of 0.060 inch and a width of 0.60 inch. The recess l6 was 0.020 inch deep such that the effective thickness of the app­lique extending from the sidewall of the tire would similarly be 0.020 inch. The injected material was maintained at 380°F for a period of 45 seconds and the resultant precure was found to be quite suit­able for maintaining the integrity of the applique while achieving good vulcanization and bonding to the tire.

[0032] In general, it has been found that the precure of the rubber based material for the appli­que can be achieved at a temperature of 300-450°F for a period of time respectively ranging between 85-20 seconds. As mentioned above, selective heat­ing of mold portions may be used to achieve unique precure configurations. By way of example, if it is desired that the precure be more complete inter­nal than on the external skin of the applique, the injected material may be introduced at a higher temperature than the mold and substrate. Such a precure is shown in Fig. 2h. By selectively heat­ing the substrate l2 and/or cooling the opposite mold surface, the precure of Fig. 2i can be achiev­ed. Finally, by heating and maintaining the temp­erature of the entire mold and substrate assembly, the precure of Fig. 2g can be attained.

[0033] The applique of Fig. 2f, which is multi­layered and multicolored, may be achieved by in­jecting a first color into the mold cavity, subse­quently increasing the cavity, and thereafter in­jecting a second color thereinto.

[0034] It has been found that appliques may be developed and imparted to tires using the concept of this invention having thicknesses on the order of 0.020-0.060 inch. Without the precuring of the applique, it has been found that smearing or defor­mation of the applique gets progressively worse as the thickness of the applique increases and/or as the pressure imparted thereto in the curing opera­tion increases. However, when precured, it has been found that even appliques having a thickness of 0.060 inch can be imparted to the sidewall of the tire in a clear and well defined manner without smearing of deformation in standard tire curing operations.

[0035] The substrate l2 bearing the precured applique l4 may be retrieved from a retaining car­tridge and placed in a tire press by a mechanical arm or the like. The substrate l2 is locked or otherwise secured to a recess in the tire mold such that the substrate will strip from the tire after the curing operation. The mold is then closed with the applique making registered contacting engagement with the sidewall of the tire. The curing process then proceeds in standard fashion. tire upon opening, and the tire, with the applique l4 vulcanized thereto, is removed. The substrate l2 is then removed from the mold and a new one, carrying an applique l4, is placed therein for application to a new tire. The removed substrate is cleaned and made available for receipt of a new applique.

[0036] It is also contemplated that the applique l4 may be formed by other conventional means such as an extrusion process, the extrudate being re­ceived upon the substrate l2 and within the recess l6. Further, the material may be extruded into a conventional mold in which it is thereafter formed by standard processes. By appropriately and se­lectively regulating the temperature of the extru­date and the substrate l2, the precures of Fig. 2 may be attained.

[0037] Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisified by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and prefer­red embodiments of the invention have been present­ed and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or there­by. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention reference should be had to the following claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for applying decorative pieces to the sidewall of a tire during a molding and curing operation, comprising:
      a substrate; and
      an applique removably received upon said substrate, said applique being adapted for bonding to the sidewall of the tire by concurrent curing of the tire and applique.

2. The assembly according to Claim l wherein said applique is an elastomeric material.

3. The assembly according to Claim 2 wherein said applique is partially precured.

4. The assembly according to Claim 3 wherein said applique is more completely precured internally than on external surfaces thereof.

5. The assembly according to Claim 3 wherein opposite surfaces of a cross section of said applique are of different degrees of precure.

6. The assembly according to Claim 5 wherein a surface of said applique adapted for con­tacting the tire has a lesser degree of cure than an opposite surface thereof.

7. The assembly according to Claim 6 wherein said substrate has a recess therein for receiving said applique, said precure of said app­lique being more complete in regions of said appli­que in contact with said substrate than in regions of said applique not in such contact.

8. The assembly according to Claim l wherein said substrate has a recess therein for receiving said applique.

9. The assembly according to Claim 8 wherein said recess has a depth which is less than half the thickness of said applique.

l0. A process for applying decorative pieces to a sidewall of a tire, comprising the steps of:
      forming an applique upon a substrate;
      positioning said applique and substrate upon a sidewall of said tire;
      curing said tire and applique with a tire press and thereby bonding said applique to said tire sidewall; and
      removing said substrate from said appli­que.

11. The process as recited in Claim l0 wherein said applique is formed by injecting an elastomeric material into a mold.

12. The process as recited in Claim ll wherein said substrate is placed into said mold prior to injection of said rubber-based material therein.

13. The process as recited in Claim l2 which further include the step of precuring said applique within said mold.

14. The process as recited in Claim l3 wherein said step of precuring is accomplished by the selective application of heat to various por­tions of said mold, to achieve different degrees of cure across a cross section of said applique.

15. The process as recited in Claim l4 wherein said substrate is maintained at a higher temperature than remaining portions of said mold in forming contact with said applique.

16. The process as recited in Claim l3 wherein said applique is precured by maintaining said rubber-based material in said mold at a temp­erature of 300-450°F for a time period respectively ranging between 85-20 seconds.

17. The process as recited in Claim l0 wherein said substrate is securedly received by said tire press and is stripped from the tire and applique upon termination of said curing and open­ing of said mold.

Drawing